Cadel Evans, the young retiree, hopes that his race, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race has the top-level status. He wants that this race became a big rendezvous after the Santos Tour Down Under. "Our goal for the race is to enter the WorldTour calendar," Evans said according to SBS.

This sunday, the Belgian Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quick Step) won the sprint finish ahead Simon Clarke (Orica GreenEDGE Cycling Team). Evans finished 5th.

But for Clarke, this promotion will be difficult. He thinks that if the race is promoted in World Tour, there will be no top Australian domestic teams. "That's a tough one ... you always want a race to get bigger, but then you'd lose that support of the local scene," Clarke continued. "This year was a great start, getting nearly 50 per cent (WorldTour) teams and some young, NRS teams. They would have thrived in the experience of racing against the big guys today."

But Clarke said that it is a "great race" : "What a great race - a credit to him and all his organisation ... to get this race off the ground and create a legacy for Cadel,. He deserves it, what a champion. We saw the success of the race today, even with inclement weather, how many people turned out.

"It's a spectacular course, look at the race that unfolded in the end - no control and attacking left, right and centre. What better race to have live on TV, when you don't know what's going to happen."